Caught Testing: 2014 Porsche Macan - Spy Shots

Porsche's new small sport-utility takes shape.

Most Read

When it arrives next year as a 2014 model, the Porsche Macan will be priced and sized to compete with a growing list of small, stylish and fun-to-drive luxury crossovers. This lucrative market segment includes the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, BMW X3, Infiniti FX and Mercedes-Benz GLK. Also amongst this formidable mix is the Audi Q5, which happens to serve as the basis for this new baby Porsche sport-ute. Given the badge on its nose, the Macan will undoubtedly emphasize high-performance driving and road-biased handling. It remains to be seen whether Porsche will bother to add many off-road features, much like Range Rover did with the surprisingly all-terrain-friendly Evoque.

For the first time in more than a decade, a 4-cylinder engine is returning to the Porsche range. While many of us might have expected this kind of powertrain to work its way into something like the mid-engine Boxster or Cayman coupe, the Macan should benefit from the combo of a turbocharged four and slick-shifting 8-speed automatic. In the current Audi Q5, this powertrain delivers impressive acceleration and strong fuel economy (27 mpg on the highway). Porsche is also certain to offer an optional direct-injection 3.2-liter V-6. In the current Q5, the 6-cylinder is equipped with a 6-speed automatic – we're hoping Porsche extends the more advanced 8-speed across the range.

A manual transmission is highly likely, though we doubt one will be offered in the U.S. market. Hybrid and diesel-powered variants are also pretty much a given, but the latter could be a European-only sales proposition. Then again, the Cayenne Diesel goes on sale here later this year, so an oil-burning Macan suddenly doesn't seem so far-fetched. Not long ago, we caught a glimpse of Macan test mules wearing a very convincing Audi-influenced disguise. This latest crop of photos finally gives a strong hint that the Macan will sport a (relatively) streamlined shape.

A tapered rear end indicates Porsche was willing to sacrifice some load-lugging room in return for a sleeker profile – we'll accept the compromise. The front end, particularly the hood, is noticeably smoother than what you'll find on the larger Cayenne. And compared to its sibling, the Audi Q5, the Porsche Macan should sit lower to the ground and feature a slightly wider track. Again, this bodes well for corner-carving prowess, though perhaps not for rock-crawling adventures on the Rubicon Trail.

Expect pricing to start somewhere around $42,000 for the base Macan when it goes on sale.